As the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy – commonly known as the Mercedarians – continues to celebrate its 100th anniversary of service in the Diocese of Cleveland, a special event took place during Mass on Sept. 28 in St. Rocco Church in Cleveland.
Ever since the Mercedarians arrived at St. Rocco a century ago, a statue of Our Lady of Mercy, also known as Our Lady of Ransom, has graced the church. Over the years, the golden crown on her head and Baby Jesus’ head became tarnished. They were refinished a few times, but were in need of work once again.
As part of the Mercedarians’ centennial celebration, Father James Mayer, St. Rocco pastor, arranged for the crowns to be refinished again, but this time with gold leaf. The crowns are also studded with pearls and gems from Father Mayer’s late mother’s jewelry, which was donated to the parish.
(See photo gallery above.)
The crowning took place during the Sept. 28 vigil Mass, celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic. Concelebrants included Father Mayer, Father James Chia, O. de M., parochial vicar, and Abbot Gary Hoover, OSB. Brother Matthew Levis, O. de M, pastoral assistant, helped with the liturgy.
“We should give thanks to the Mercedarian friars for serving Cleveland for 100 years,” the bishop said, pointing out this was their first official mission in the United States. “Thank God for their presence among us for 100 years. Thanks Father Jim and friars for your ongoing service to us, your prayers for us, your faithful witness of Jesus to us, your preaching and your charism of mercy. Don’t we all need that?”
The bishop explained the history of the Mercedarians, pointing out they were established in 1218 in Spain by St. Peter Nolasco as a redemptive community under the patronage of Mary, Mother of Ransom, also known as the Mother of Mercy. The community members would pray, raise money for ransom and even exchange themselves for Christians who had been enslaved because of their religious beliefs.
“Talk about putting the Gospel into practice,” the bishop said.
Persecution of Christians for their beliefs isn’t something relegated to history, he said, pointing out that even in the 21st century, people are being imprisoned, tortured and even murdered because of their religious beliefs.
“It is said that more people have been killed because they have been Christians in the last 100 years than in all of the other centuries before it,” Bishop Malesic stated. He related his recent trip to the diocesan mission in El Salvador, noting that four church women – three religious sisters and a lay missionary, two with ties to our diocese – were among those killed during the Salvadoran civil war. In addition, St. Oscar Romero, six Jesuits and many others were martyred for their faith during the war.
“There are those who would like us to keep our faith within the walls of our churches, but not allow us to live our faith in the public square. We must never separate the faith we profess in here with the life we live out there. We are Christian 24/7, after all,” he added.
The bishop said that as we celebrate the Mass in honor of Mary, we come to her – Our Lady of Ransom, Mother of Mercy, the mother of Jesus – and we ask her to draw us deeper into our relationship with her son. He is the one who tells us “not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both the soul and body in Gehenna.” (Mt 10:28) “He asks Christians to follow him, which means that we walk with him in faith,” he added.
“Now, will we die as martyrs? I pray not. But, however our lives on this earth end, I do pray that we die as faithful servants of the Lord,” the bishop said.
Assisted by Father Mayer, the bishop carefully placed the refurbished crowns on the heads of Mary and Baby Jesus. The statue, which had been moved to the floor of the sanctuary, was surrounded by flowers during the Mass.
After Mass, all were invited to a reception in the parish hall in the newly finished St. Rocco School building.